Insecticidal esters of spiro carboxylic acids

ABSTRACT

DESCRIBED ARE CERTAIN SPIRO CARBOXYLIC ACIDS AND THEIR ALLETHROLONE ESTERS. THE ESTERS OF THESE ACIDS POSSES UNIQUE INSECTICIDAL PROPERTIES AND ARE USEFUL AS SUCH IN HOME, GARDEN AND ARGICULTURAL APPLICATIONS.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE "Described are certain spiro carboxylic acids and their allethrolone esters. The esters of these acids possess unique insecticidal properties and are useful as such in home, garden and agricultural applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION .This invention relates to novel spiro carboxylic acids and their insecticidal esters, as well as insecticidal compositions containing said esters as an essential active ingredient.

.Current trends in the chemical control of insects call for inherently safer materials which degrade very rapidly to non-toxic substances once their purpose is accomplished. The safety of the widely used chlorinated hydrocarbons, notably DDT, is currently under question largely ,because of their poor biodegradability and concomitant persistence. Accordingly, there is a great demand for alternative broad spectrum insecticides which are suitable for the high volume usage entailed in agricultural applications. At the same time it is desirable for new insecticides to exhibit a low order of toxicity to warm-blooded animals. Of the several insecticide classes which demonstrate low mammalian toxicity and good biodegradability, ithas long been recognized that pyrethrum, a naturallyoccurring insecticidal mixture, possesses these desirable properties. In addition to the safety advantages, this natural mixture causes rapid knockdown and kill of a broad spectrum of insects; however, it is unstable to light, air, and heat, and is very expensive. The most active component of pyrethrum is pyrethrin I and a number of analogous compounds have been proposed for insecticidal use. Allethrin, a typical synthetic pyrethrin-like insecticide, while more stable to light and heat than pyrethrum, is nevertheless expensive, a defect which is compounded by the fact that this substance is not appreciably synergized by the low cost synergizing agents such as piperonyl butoxide which are typically used in insecticidal compositions. Because of instability, high cost and limited supply, the use of pyrethrum and pyrethrin-like insecticides in agricultural applications has been precluded or seriously limited.

At the same time, it is well known that certain insects, in time, become immune to the insecticidal properties of various chemical agents. To be efiicient, an insecticide should be able to resist detoxification by the insect. The biological mechanisms whereby insects are capable of detoxifying the various types of insecticidal compounds are not known. However, it has been suggested that with compounds which are analogous to pyrethrin, e.g., allethrin, one mode of detoxification may involve oxidation of one or both of the methyl groups on the isobutl-enyl side chain of the chrystanthemic acid moiety present in that compound. Additionally, it is possible that, as with other biological systems, insects may in time develop new biogenetic mechanisms capable of detoxifying any particular insecticidal compound. In any event, it is desirable to 3,823,177 Patented July 9, 1974:

have included in the insecticidal armamentarium compounds which may be utilized once a given class of insects is found no longer to respond to conventional insecticidal compounds.

Many prior art insecticidal esters difier from one another and from the natural pyrethrin I esters by virtue of synthetic modifications in the alcohol moiety of the ester Other synthetic insecticides are pyrethrin-like esters moditied in the acid portion of the ester molecule. British specification 1,207,371, Sept. 3, 1970, relates to the allethrolone esters of the spiro carboxylic acids 2-(is0but-1'- enyl)spiro[2.5]octane-1-carboxy1ic acid and 2-'(isobut-1'- enyl)spiro[2.4]heptane 1 carboxylic acid. French Pat. 1,505,423, December 1967, relates to the ethyl and allethrolone esters of 2,2,5-trimethylspiro [2.5]0ct-4-ene-1-carboxylic acid. By the present invention, certain novel spiro carboxylic acids are provided which, when esterified with various alcohols, from insecticidal analogues of pyrethrin which are modified in the acid moiety of the ester. Surprisingly, the allethrolone esters of the acids herein exhibit miticidal activity, a property not shared by many other pyrethrin-like compounds.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide novel spiro carboxylic acids which can be esterified to provide a variety of insecticidal compounds which are biodegradable, etfect rapid knock-down and kill of a broad spectrum of insects (the term insects heerin includes mites, and the term insecticida includes miticidal) possess low mammalian toxicity, and are less susceptible to detoxification by insects than is pyrethrum. It is a further object of this invention to provide certain insecticidal allethrolone esters of novel spiro carboxylic acids. These and other objects are obtained by the present invention as will become apparent from the following disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The novel compounds of the present invention include 2,2 dimethylspiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-diene-l-carboxylic acid and certain acids related thereto, as well as the allethrolone esters of said spiro carboxylic acids.

The invention also encompasses insecticidal compositions comprising as an essential ingredient, an insecticidal amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of the allethrolone esters of 2,2dimethylspiro[2.4]hepta- 4,6-diene-1-carboxylic acid, and acids related thereto, as hereinafter detailed, and a carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The novel acids of this invention are the following:

( Ha CH:

coon

2,2-dlmetl1ylsplro [2.4]hepta-4,fi-dlene-l-carboxyllc acid CH: CH:

COOH

2,2-d1methy1spiro[2.4]heptane-l-carboxyltc acid (1 CH: C

COOH

2,2-dtmetl1yl-4,5-benzosplro[2.4 hepta-4,6-diene-1- carboxylic acid o N C O H 2,2-dimethyl-4,5-benzospiro [2.4 hepta-4ene-1-carboxylic acid L CI'Iii/CHS C O O H 2,2-dimethyl-4,5,6,7,-dibenzospiro [2.4 hepta-4,6-diene-lcarboxylic acid The novel insecticidal allethrolone esters of acids (I) through (V), above, are the following:

W on. CH3

n COO\ C a g cmon=crn VII) CH3 CH:

-4m011=cm (VIII) on, CH3

The preparation of the foregoing acids, (1) through (V) and their corresponding allethrolone esters, is fully disclosed by the following examples. In each instance the al-kyl ester of the carboxylic acid is first prepared and then hydrolyzed to the free acid. The acids are then converted to the acid halide form and est rifi d W t al thr lone, which can be synthesized by rnethods well known in the art.

EXAMPLE I Compound I; 2,2-dimethylspiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-dienel-carboxylic acid 6,6-dimethylfulvene: A 0 0'. mixture of 5 8 g. of cyclopenetadiene monomer and 51g. of acetone was treated with 15 g. of 40% aqueous methylamine as described by Freiesleben, Germany Auslegeschrift 1,146,050 (1963); Chem. Abst., 59, 9914 (1963). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 0.5 hr. during which time 24 ml. of Water separated. The reaction was stirred for an additional 0.5 hr. water additional) and placed in a refrigerator for 19 hrs. (8 ml. water additional). The total was dried over MgSO and distilled to afford 58 g. (62%) of dimethylfulvene: b.p. 35-38" C. (4.5 mm.); IR (neat) 6.08, 6.17, 7.30, 9.18, 11.6, 13.0,u.

Ethyl 2,2 dimethylspiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-diene-l-carboxylate: A well stirred, 10-15 C. nitrogen blanketed mixture of 10.6 .g. of 6,6-dimethylfulvene, prepared above, and 12.2 g. of ethyl chloroacetate was treated dropwise over 1.5 hrs. with a solution of 11.7 g. of potassium tbutoxide in 75 ml. of dry t-butyl alcohol. The-reaction was stirred an additional 1.5 hr. at 10 Cuand most of the alcohol was then removed at reduced pressure. Ether extraction of an aqueous solution of the residual semisold aflForded 15.2 g. of yellow oil. Subsequent distillation afforded 2.5 g. (13%) of yellow ester, b.p. 7580 C. (0.25 mm.). Gas chromatographically purified ester exhibited the following spectral properties: IR (film) 5.77, 8.33, 8.69, 9.24,12.0, 12.7,u; NMR (C01 -1- 3.38, 3.69, 3.99 (3m, 4, --CH=CCE=CE), 5.99 (g, 2, 1:7 Hz., OCg CH 7.41 (s, 1, CECO Et), 8.47, 8.60 (6, Cgfs), 8.80 (t, 3, J: 7 Hz., OCH Cg 2,2 dimethylspiro[2.4]hepta 4,6 diene 1 carboxylic acid (Compound I): A solution of 2.53 g. of the ester prepared above in 15 ml. of ethanol wassaponifiedtby heating with a solution of 7.4 g. of potassium hydroxide in 70 ml. of water. Work-up afforded 2 g. (93%) of crystalline acid which on recrystallization from ether afiorded 1.63 g.: mp. 126-129 C.; IR (CHCI 5.87, 7.63, 7.94, 8.98, 10.2, 11.5,; NMR (CDCl 1- 1.94 (s, 1, 011), 3.32, 3.58, 3.89 (3m, 4, CE=CEC=CE), 7.30 (s, l, CECO H), 8.44, 8.59 (28, 6, CH s). This data corresponds to that for a compound of the structure assigned to Compound (I), above.

Compound VI; allethrolone ester of 2,2-dimethylspiro [2.4]hepta-4,6-dienel-carboxylic acid 2,2-dimethylspiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-diene-1-carboxylic acid Chloride: A solution of 1.33 g. of the parent acid (I) in 10 ml. of hexane was converted to the acid chloride by refluxing with excess S001 in hexane for 5 hours. Distillation yielded 0.8 g. (54%) of yellow acid chloride: b.p.- C. (1 mm); IR (neat).5.60, 9.64, 12.1, 13.2,u.; NMR (C01 7' 3.5 (rn, 3) and 3.9

(m, 1, CE=CECE=CE),

6.8 (s, 1, CECOCI), 8.4 8.5 (2s, 6, CH s). I

Esterification: A mixture of 0.8 .g. of the acid chloride prepared above in 15 ml. of benzene and 0.7 g. of pyridine was treated with 0.67 g. of allethrolone at 0 C., thence rising to room temperature over a 24 hours period. The crude ester product (92%) was chromatographed on Florisil to afford 0.76 g. of pure ester. Material purified by gas chromatography exhibited the following spectral properties: IR (neat) 5.76, 5.82, 6.02, 6.09, 8.39, 8.72, 9.23, 12.7;1; NMR (CCl.,) 7' 3.42, 3.65, 3.96

7.14 (d, 2, J=6 Hz., -cg -cH= 7.35 (s, 1 cgco-,- 8.03 (s, CH=CQIi 8.46, 8.59 (28, 6,

EXAMPLE-'11 Ethyl 2,2-dimethylspiro[2.4]heptane-l-carboxylate: A solution of 1.54 g. of ethyl 2,2-dirnethylspiro[2.41hepta- 4,6-diene-1 carboxylate prepared in Example I, above, in 30ml. of ethanol was catalytically reduced over 50 mg. of pre-reduced platinum oxide. The theoretical amount of hydrogen was taken up over a 3 hr. period. The catalyst was removed by filtration and the alcohol was removed at reduced pressure. The residue, 1.5 g. (100%) could be used directly without further purification.

Material purified by GLPC exhibited the following spectral properties: IR (film) 5.78, 7.46, 8.49, 8.79, 9.44, 11.8;l; NMR (CC1 1- 6.02 (g. 2, ]=7 Hz., OCH CH 8.79 (t, 3, 1:7 Hz., OCI-I CR 8.83, 8.86 [2s, 6,

Analysis.-Calcd for C H O C, 73.43; H, 10.27. Found: C, 73.9; H, 10.4.

2,2-dimethylspiro[2.41heptane-l-carboxylic acid (Compound II): Asolution of 3.3 g. of crude spiro ester (prepared above) in 70 ml. of ethanol was treated with a solution of 9.45 g. of potassium hydroxide in 15 ml. of water. The resulting reaction mixture was heated at 50 C. for 24 hrs. The cooled reaction mixture was saturated with salt and extracted well with ether. The basic aqueous solution was acidified with cold dilute acid and the acidic material was isolated with ether. Removal of the dried (MgSO solvent afforded 2.9 g. (100%) of crude, crystalline acid which could be used directly without further purification. Material purified by preparative GLPC exhibited the following properties: m.p. 68-70 C.; IR (KBr) 3.1-4.0, 5.95, 7.0 NMR (CD01 -r 8.33 (m, 8, -(C I1 8.75 (s, 1, -CI1CO H), 8.78 [2s, 6, H3)2]- Analysis.Calcd for C H O C, 71.39; H, 9.59. Found: C, 71.3; H, 9.6. This data corresponds to that for a compound of the structure assigned to Compound (II), above.

Compound VII; Allethrolone ester of 2,2-dimethylspiro [2.4]heptane-l-carboxylic acid 2,2-dimethylspiro[2.4]heptane-1-carboxylic acid chloride: A soltuion of 3 g. of crude acid (II), above, and 2.7 g. of thionyl chloride in 30 ml. of hexane was refluxed for 5 hr. The volatile materials were removed at reduced pressure and the acid chloride product was distilled to afford 2.35 g. (75%): hp. 63 C. (0.2 mm); IR (film) 5.59, 9.02, 9.45, 9.99, 12.02, 1320 Esterification: A solution of 2.35 g. of the parent acid chloride (above) in ml. of benzene was treated with 2 g. of pyridine, cooled in an ice bath and treated with a solution of 1.93 g. of allethrolone in 20 ml. of benzene. The resulting solution Was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was added to brine solution and extracted with ether. The combined ether extracts were washed with 5% aqueous, hydrochloric acid, 0.1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide, and brine. Drying (MgSO and solevnt removal aflorded crude product which was subsequently distilled to afl'ord 3.32 g. (87%) of oily ester; b.p. 125-130 C. (0.02 mm.) Material purified by GLPC exhibited the following spectral properties: IR (film) 5.79, 5.82, 8.62, 8.78, 8.94, 9.49 NMR (CCLQ 1- 4.20-4.55 (2ms, 2, OC Cg=CH 4.90-5.21 (m, 2, CH=C2L 8.03 (s, 3, C=CCE3L 8.80, 8.82 [2ss, 6, C(CH This data corresponds to that for a compound of the structure assigned to Compound (VII), above.

6 EXAMPLE m Compound III; 2,2-dimethyl-4,5-benzospiro[2.4jhepta- 4,6-diene-1-carhoxylic acid Ethyl 2,2-dimethyl 4,5 benzospiro[2.4]hepta 4,6- diene-l-car'boxylate: A dry m1. three-necked roundbottom flask fitted with a reflux condenser and a pressure equilizing addition tunnel was flushed with argon and charged with 7.40 g. of ethyl (dimethylsulfuranylidene) acetate, prepared in the manner of G. B. Payne, J. Org. Chem., 32, 3351 (1967), and 30 ml. of dry methylene chloride. The stirring solution was brought to reflux under an argon atmosphere and a solution of 6,6-dimethyl-1,2- benzofulvene in 15 ml. of dry methylene chloride was added over a period of 15 min. The solution was heated at reflux for 30 min. after the addition was complete, then stirred at 25 C. for 17 hrs. Concentration (rotary evaporator) and fractional distillation afforded the product as a viscous yellow oil (8.00 g., 66%), boiling range 133 C. (0.10 mm.). Gas chromatography showed the product to consist of the two epimers in approximately equal amounts. The product displayed IR bands (neat film) at 5.78 2 (C=O) and 8.60 (ester). The NMR spectrum (CDCl vertified the presence of both possible epimers: 1- 2.1 to 3.3 (complex m, 5.5 H, aromatic as well as both olefinic protons of one epimer and one olefinic proton of the other), 3.77 (d, J=6 Hz, part of AB quartet, 0.5 H, C Ii=CH of one epimer), 5.88 (g, J=7 Hz., 1 H, CH,Cg on one epimer), 5.93 (g. J=7 Hz., 1 H, CH CE on the other epimer), 7.33 (s, 1 H,

on both epimers), 8.39 and 8.50 (pair of s, total 3 H, gem CH on one epimer), 8.30 and 8.54 (pair of s, total 3 H, gem CH on the other epimer), 8.79 (t, i=7 Hz., 1.5 H, CE CH on one epimer), and 8.87 (t, J=7 Hz., 1.5 H, Cfl CI-I on the other epimer). The ester had molecular ion m/e 242.130 (calcd for C H O 242.1302).

2,2-dimethyl-4,S-benzospiro[2.4]hepta 4,6 diene-lcarboxylic acid (Compound III): To a solution of 3.63 g. of the ethyl ester prepared above in 10 ml. of ethanol was added a solution of 3.36 g. of potassium hydroxide in 15 ml. of water. The mixture was heated at reflux for 2.5 hrs. then stirred at 25 C. for 16 hours. The resulting brown solution was concentrated (rotary evaporator) to ca. half volume, diluted with 20 ml. of water, and acidified to pH 3.5-4.0 with 10% hydrochloric acid. The acidified mixture was extracted with three 40-ml. portions of ether and the combined extracts were washed with two 25-ml. portions of brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated on the rotary evaportor to leave 3.08 g. of a glass. Recrystallization from ethanol-water afforded 2.69 g. (84%) of a light yellow powder. The IR spectrum (CHClg) showed strong absortions at 3.5 (COOH) and 5.91 (C=O). The NMR spectrum vertified the presence of both epimers in approximately equal amounts: '1' 2.2- 3.0 (m, 4 H, aromatic), 3.10 (s, 1 H, CE=C of one epimer), 3.08 and 3.78 (AB quartet, J=5.5 HZ., 1 H, C=CE of the other epimer), 7.33 (bs, 1 H,

cgcoo 8.33 and 8.50 (pair of s, total 3 H, (CH C of one epimer), and 8.38 and 8.47 (pair of s, total 3 H,

of the other epimer) The analytical sample was crystallized twice from ethanol-water and had m.p. 121 C.

Anal.Calcd. for C H O C, 78.48; H, 6.59. Found: C, 79.0, 78.4; H, 6.2; 6.8. This data corresponds to that for a compound of the structure assigned to Compound (III), above.

Compound VIII; allethrolone ester of 2,2-dimethyl-4,5- benzospiro[2.4]hepta 4,6 diene-l-carboxylic acid: A

25 ml. round-bottom flask containing a magnetic stirring bar was charged-with 1.286 g. of the parent acid (III), above, and 10 ml. of'dry benzene. To the stirring solution was added 1.5 ml. (2.44 g.) of oxalyl chloride. Considerable gas evolution was evident. The flask was topped with a drying tube and the clear, tan solution was stirred at 2530 C. for 3 days. The reaction mixture was then concentrated on the rotary evaporator at 35 C. to leave a brown oil possessing an IR band at 5.59 (acid chloride C=O) as the only absorbance in the carbonyl region.

The flask was flushed with argon and sealed with a rubber serum cap. A slight positive pressure of argon was maintained using an argon filled balloon; 2 ml. of dry benzene and 0.8 ml. of dry pyridine were added. After 10 min. of stirring, the mixture was cooled to C. and treated with 1.302 g. of allethrolone in 3 ml. of dry benzene. The reaction mixture, now tan and containing a precipitate, was stirred at 25 C. for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was then poured into 30 ml. of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted with three 25- ml. portions of ether. The combined extracts were washed (brine), dried (magnesium sulfate), and concentrated (r0- tary evaporator) to leave 2.448 g. of a clear, tan oil. Purification of 1.005 g. of this crude product by preparative TLC on silica gel afforded 645 mg. (76%) of the pure ester (mixture of diastereomers) as a viscous yellow oil. The IR spectrum (neat film) of the product contained a strong band at 5.82p. (ketone C=O) with a shoulder at 5.78,u (ester C=O). The NMR spectrum (CDCl indicated the presence of four diastereomers: 1 2.2-3.0 (m, 4 -H, aromatic), 3.15 (m, 1.5 H, C11=Cg), 3.77 and 3.79 (pair of d, J=6 Hz., total 0.5 H, -Cg=CH on two of the diastereomers), 4.0-4.5

(bm, 2 H, CE=CH and CE-O), 4.8-5.2 (bm, 2 H, CE =CH), 7.1

(m, 2 H, C=CH-CE CH=C),

7.32 and 7.34 (pair of s, total 1 H, C I1CO0), 7.2-7.45 (m, 1 H, at to ketone), 7.58-7.95 (m, 1 H, a to ketone), 7.98, 8.02, and 8.09 (all s, total 3 H, CE C=C), and 8.31-8.52 (five s, total 6 H, (CH C). The ester had molecular ion m/e 348.178 (calcd for C H O 348.17 $9). This data corresponds to that for a compound of the structure assigned to Compound (V111), above.

EXAMPLE IV Compound IV; 2,2dimethy1-4,S-benzospiro[2.4]hepta- 4-ene-1-carboxylic acid Into a 50 ml. hydrogenation flask were placed 40 mg. of platinum oxide (Adams catalyst) a stirring bar, and 5 ml. of ethanol. The catalyst was equilibrated with hydrogen at atmospheric pressure for 40 minutes. A sample of 429 mg. (2.0 mmole) of 2,2-dimethyl-4,5-benzospiro [2.4]hepta-4,6-diene-l-carboxylic acid (prepared as in Example III, above) in 5 ml. of ethanol was added (2 ml. ethanol rinse), stirring was started, and hydrogen consumption was measured. After one hour, reduction was complete (absorption of 2 mmoles of hydrogen). The reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of Celite and the filtrate was concentrated on the rotary evaporator to leave 423 mg. (98%) of a colorless solid with a melting range of 127-145 C..The IR spectrum (CHCl displayed a strong band at 5.90 (acid C=O). The NMR spectrum (CDCl contained resonances at 1-090 (bs, 1 H, COOH), 2.3-3.3 (m, 4 H, aromatic), 6.8-8.3 (m, 5 H, methylenes and or. to COO-), and 8.43, 8.58, 8.67, and 8.80 (four s, total 6 H, (CH C'- for two epimers). This data corresponds to that for a compound of the structure assigned to Compound (IV), above.

Compound IX; allethrolone eter of 2,2-dimethyl-4,5- benzospiro[2.4]hepta-4-ene-1-carboxylic acid: A dry 10 ml. round-bottomed flask with magnetic stirring bar was charged with 305 mg. of acid (IV) prepared above and 2.5 ml. of dry benzene. To this was added 0.36 ml. (0.54 g.) oxalyl chloride. A drying tube was attached to the flask and the mixture'was stirred at 25 C. for 18 hours. Concentration on the rotary evaporator left an oil, the IR spectrum of which contained at band at 5.61 (acid chloride C=O) as the only absorbance in the carbonyl region.

The flask was flushed with argon and the reaction mixture was maintained under an inert atmosphere during the addition of 0.5 ml. of dry benzene and 0.2 ml. of dry pyridine. After 10 minutes, the solution was cooled to 0 C. and treated with 307 mg. of allethrolone in 0.8 ml. of dry benzene. The turbid reaction mixture was stirred at 25 C. for three days. The product was isolated and purified as described above for the allethrolone ester of 2,2 dimethyl 4,5 benz0spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-diene-1- carboxylic acid. The yield was 356 mg. (72%) of a pale yellow syrup. IR analysis showed peaks at 5.78; (ester C=O) and 5.84; (cyclopentenone C=O), while the NMR spectrum displayed 1- 2.33.2 (m, 4 H, aromatic), 4.0-4.5 (m, 2 H, CE=CH and HCO), 4.8-5.2 (m, 2 H, HC=CE 6.8-7.4 (m, 4.5 H, including bisallylic and on to benzene ring), 7.67 (m, 2 H), 7.75-8.1 (in, including s at 7.99 and 8.05, total 3.5 H, including CH C=C from all diastereomers), and 8.2-9.0 (m, including at least seven s, total 8 H, including (CH C). The mass spectrum showed the requisite parent ion at m/e 350. This data corresponds to that for a compound of the structure assigned to Compound (IX), above.

EXAMPLE V Compound V; 2,2-dimethyl-4,5,6,7-dibenzospir0[2.4] hepta-4,6-diene-l-carboxylic acid 9-isopropylidenefluorene: A dry ml. flask with side arm (serum cap) was charged with 3.85 g. of isopropyltriphenylphosphonium bromide. The flask was flushed with argon and, under the inert atmosphere, 40 ml. of tetrahydrofuran (freshly distilled from lithium aluminum hydride) was added. The slurry was cooled to 0 C. and treated with 7.2 ml. of a 1.59 M solution of n-butyllithium in hexane. The blood red solution was stirred for several minutes at 25 C., then cooled to 0 C. and treated with 1.80 g. of 9-fluorenone in 10 ml. of tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture was stirred at 25 C. for 22 hrs., concentrated to ca. 15 ml. on a rotary evaporator, and poured into 100 ml. of water. Product was extracted with four 50-ml. portions of ether. The combined extracts were washed twice (brine), dried (sodium sulfate), and concentrated to leave 4.37 g. of an oily yellow solid. Chromatography on silica gel (9:1 hexane-chloroform) gave 1.21 g. (59%) of the colorless product; m. p. 112-113 C. The IR spectrum (CHCl contained a strong band at 6.14 2 (C=C), while the NMR spectrum (CD01 was virtually identical to that reported.

Ethyl 2,2-dimethyl-4,5,6,7-dibenzospiro[2.4]hepta-4,6- diene-l-carboxylate. A 25 ml. round-bottom three-necked flask containing a stirring bar was charged with 1.03 g. of 9-isopropylidenefluorene (prepared above) and 20 mg. of cuprous chloride. The flask was fitted with a rubber septum, a thermometer, and a reflux condenser. A slow stream of argon was maintained over the reaction mixture which was heated to -150 C. To this molten material was added, dropwise via syringe, 0.55 ml. (596 mg.) of ethyl diazoacetate. At the end of the addition, heating was continued for 2 hours. After cooling, 5 ml. of diethyl ether was added and the mixture was suction filtered with generous ether washing. The filtrate was washed with 5% hydrochloric acid then with brine (twice), dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated to leave 1.27 g. of an oily green solid. Preparative TLC (silica gel, 2:3 hexane-chloroform, R ca. 0.4) gave 114 mg. (8%) of the product as a green solid. The NMR spectrum (CDCl displayed 1- 2.20 (bin, 3 H, aromatic), 2.72 (bm, 5 H, aromatic), 5.87 (q, J=7 Hz., 2 H,

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M22 5 AO O 00000000020000 wwfi 0 O U 0003 2mm 00 00000. 00.02000 00000000 Mm 000. 000 0000 m0 3003 mE wv 0000000 000000 0000 300002 2690 05 000 00000000 00 00 005000 000 000200 0000 000 @000 0000 000 0 mm 00 00000 003 00 000 000 0H. 0 00 00.0 2 02? 0 A 03 3 m0 0 0 ..o 00 000000 003 0000000 000 0000000 2 000000 000 00000000 00 00 3 cm 000 0000000. 00 00 00 m 00000 0003 00000 00 0000003 0 00000 000 00 0000 05 0 H 00mw00 $000000 05 00 0000900000 .200 000 m0 A U 0000200 203 005m 00 0 0 0 0 33 0 3 0 0.0000000 Mm 00 00 w0E0E 0 0 08 bn 000 000.200 8000. 0020 0 00 00000 000000 00000 00 0. 0 mm 00 00000 00% 0.000 0 05 00 000000000 008 0000 0000000 000. 000030 00000 00 0 20 0 E 0 .3380 0 0 0 3 0 0 000B 03 M00000 0000900 0 0 0 0000 000000 0000 00 m 0 0m 2600 00000000 0 00 00 90 mm c 0000 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 000 0 00 0 0 m v-E OE 0 0000 002000020 Um 000000000 2600 QC 000000000 00 000M000 000000000 000 00 000000000 0 00.0 00.0 00. 000000 0 0% 0 0. 000 0 m 2 a; 0 000 0 m 0 $0 A OOOEO E H 3 no A33 m m m0 A 00000 m 03 C .0 00 0000000000 00003000 QQOOO QUV M22 0B 26 0 o md 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 02% C00: :030 00 0. 0 080A 000 000.000 $000 00 00 000 3 02% 0000300000 0 000.0 mE vw o 0000N 000 0000 00000000 0 00 @003 000 000 0 00 o0 $908920 b 000 000000 000000 000 20000 0000009000 0000 0025 0000 85 0003 300000 00030000 00 000 0 00 0000.60 00 0 00.00 000$ 0 00.000 000 0000 20030000.: 0m 0000 w n 00 050 00 230000 0000? 00 00 3 003 000000 00.0 000 200 00000 0000 0 0m 0. 00000 00 000 00.000 00 000 m 000 00000 00 000000 003 000008 00 0000000 -00 00000 00 0000000 E 00 00 0 0 00 00 003 000 0 00 00 00 0 0 0 9600 000000.00 00000 0300 000 00 05 v: 00 0000000 0 0 A 0000000000 0 00 00.080000; M0-0 v-fi 0$ 0 0$d YSMS G I Gm QNO EOO E m 0 0 0 8 0 0 010009 0 0 :08 .m 0 0 on 0 00m A OOOEU m 0 3 Nu A EO EUO 11 operating at p.s'.i. and discharging about 30 ml. of material per minute through'anf atomizer. The spray descends through an 8" stainless steel cylinder to plant material and/or test insects 44 inches below the atomizer. The insects were retained for knockdown and/or mortality observations. Test compositions having the indicated compounds-of the invention normally comprise up to about 10% by weight of such dust formulations. An amount of up to about 3% is preferred and is suitable for most applications. 7

Liquid insecticidal and miticidal compositions herein comprise an insecticidal amount, i e., from about 0.1% to about preferably 1% to about 10% by weight, of one or more of the esters (VI) through (X), above.

Liquid suspensions or dispersions of the esters in a non-solvent carrier liquid, such as water, can be suitably employed for the treatment of foliage. Also suitably employed are solutions of the present insecticidal esters in TABLE 2 on. on. on. OH: on. on, i on. on, CH1 CH1 OH:

is t I 00R 00R 000R oorv CH3 (Allethrin) S. Mex. S. Mex. S. Mex. S. Mex. S. Mex. Concentration Armybean Pea Armybean Pea Armybean Pea Arrnybean Pea Armybean Pea (wt.) worm beetle aphid worm beetle aphid worm beetle aphid worm beetle aphid worm beetle aphid 100 30 80 100 100 90 100 100 100 100 30 100 100 100 80 100 100 100 100 100 50 1%(6 10% F) 20 90 10 90 10 0 70 90 100 100 0 2 so so 90 10 70 80 80 90 0.0025/001 20 100 See the following:

R= CH:

CHzCH=CH2 "Cone. ester/piperonyl butoxide synergist. Norn: =No test data.

In another series of tests, the allethrolone esters of the spiro carboxylic acids (II) and (III), above, were applied to strawberry spider mites and exhibited significant miticidal activity.

Esters (VI) through (X) of the. instant invention are insecticidally elfective when tested against a wide variety of insects including the Southern army worm, the Mexican bean beetle, the pea aphid, the mite, the German cockroach, the adult mosquito, adult stable flies, black carpet beetle larva, webbing clothes moth larva, adult rice weevils, and adult sawtooth grain beetles.

Insecticidal and miticidal compositions containing the esters of the present invention can be formulated and utilized as oil solutions, emulsifiable concentrates, Wettable powders, dusts, aerosols, or impregnated into wood, fabrics, etc., and provide a long lasting residual effect. Such compositions can include the generally employed inert carriers or diluents and auxiliary agents which are well-known to those skilled in the art. (By inert herein is meant carriers which, themselves, have no substantial insecticidal activity.) For example, suitable dusts can be prepared by admixing the compounds of the invention with dry free-flowing powders such as clay, bentonite, fullers earth, diatomaceous earth, pyrophyllite, attapulgite, calcium carbonate, chalk and the like. The active oil which is emulsified in Water. Examples of oil solvents include hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene, halogenated hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzene, chloroform, fiuorotrichloromethane and dichlorodifiuoromethane, and commercial mixtures of hydrocarbons such as the common Stoddard solvents, petroleum ethers, and the like.

Aerosols can be prepared by dissolving the esters of this invention in a highly volatile liquid carrier such as trifluorochloromethane, nitromethane, dichlorodifl'uoroethane and the like, or by dissolving such compounds in a less volatile carrier, such as benzene or kerosene, and admixing the resulting solution with a highly volatile liquid aerosol propellant such as the polyfluorohydrocar bons commonly used in aerosol insecticide formulations.

The novel esters of the invention are useful for destroy ng a variety of insects and mites. Accordingly, a method aspect of the present invention comprises combating insects by applying to insects (including mites) or to an insect habitat one or more of novel esters (VI through X, above) of the invention. For broad scale applcations, the esters herein are applied at a rate of from about 0.5 to about 10 pounds per acre.

Preferably the esters of this invention are employed in combination with a synergistic agent, for example, piper- 13 onyl butoxide, sulfoxide, p-butoxy-p'-thiocyanodiethyl ether and the like.

What is claimed is: 1. The allethrolone ester of 2,2-dimethy1spiro['2.4] heptane l-earboxylic acid.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,432,541 -3/'1969 'Bagli et a1. 260-468 3,538,120 11/1970 Finch 260345.8

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,505,423 1 1/1967 France 260-468 1,527,844 4/!1968 Farnce 260-468 14 OTHER REFERENCES Fried Prustaglandins Symposium, Sept. 17, 1970, N.Y., p. 53.

Konzelman et a1. 1.0.0. 33, 3-828 (1968).

LORRAINE A. WEINBERGER, Primary Examiner R. GERSTL, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. XJR. 

